SketchUp is a 3D modeling program designed for architectural, civil, and mechanical engineers as well as filmmakers, game developers, and related professions. It also includes features to facilitate the placement of models in Google Earth. It is designed to be easier to use than other 3D CAD programs. (from Wikipedia)
How can I use SketchUp in Math Education?
SketchUp can be used in math as much or as little as you'd like. Because of it's ease to use and vast capabilities
Teach math concepts
Project based learning
Measurement
Exploratory lessons
Cross curricular lessons
More specifically:
create models of buildings that can be inserted directly into Google Earth
use measurements create models
learn basic graph theory
explore perimeter, area, surface area, and volume (and their relationships) of any shape.
use colour and images to present information
make and justify problem solving decisions
design any sort of object (chair, building, etc.)
What about the Mathematical Processes?
it is obvious that SketchUp falls under the Technology process. What you may not have considered is how using SketchUp may address the other mathematical processes. Visualization is addressed because of the great ability to move around objects and visualize how , for example, different dimensions can change the overall shape of an object. Communication will be addressed if students are working together or if students are allowed to teach each other how to use the program. Mental Math and Estimation can be addressed easily if the teacher chooses to allow students to not use specific dimensions. Problem Solving is addressed constantly in SketchUp; it takes planning and preparation to get to a desired result. Connections are addressed if students are using math they have learned in class and applying it to creating an object, or if real objects are being represented in the program. Reasoning (inductive, deductive, proportional, spatial, and analogical) can be addressed depending on what the teacher chooses to use it for; for example, proportional reasoning is used when creating scale models, deductive reasoning can be used to prove Pythagorean's theorem, and spatial reasoning is always being used since everything is in a 3D space.
How can SketchUp promote cross-curricular learning?
Google SketchUp
What is it?
SketchUp is a 3D modeling program designed for architectural, civil, and mechanical engineers as well as filmmakers, game developers, and related professions. It also includes features to facilitate the placement of models in Google Earth. It is designed to be easier to use than other 3D CAD programs. (from Wikipedia)How can I use SketchUp in Math Education?
SketchUp can be used in math as much or as little as you'd like. Because of it's ease to use and vast capabilitiesTeach math concepts
Project based learning
Measurement
Exploratory lessons
Cross curricular lessons
More specifically:
What about the Mathematical Processes?
it is obvious that SketchUp falls under the Technology process. What you may not have considered is how using SketchUp may address the other mathematical processes. Visualization is addressed because of the great ability to move around objects and visualize how , for example, different dimensions can change the overall shape of an object. Communication will be addressed if students are working together or if students are allowed to teach each other how to use the program. Mental Math and Estimation can be addressed easily if the teacher chooses to allow students to not use specific dimensions. Problem Solving is addressed constantly in SketchUp; it takes planning and preparation to get to a desired result. Connections are addressed if students are using math they have learned in class and applying it to creating an object, or if real objects are being represented in the program. Reasoning (inductive, deductive, proportional, spatial, and analogical) can be addressed depending on what the teacher chooses to use it for; for example, proportional reasoning is used when creating scale models, deductive reasoning can be used to prove Pythagorean's theorem, and spatial reasoning is always being used since everything is in a 3D space.How can SketchUp promote cross-curricular learning?
Please add YOUR ideas here!Where can I get it?
SketchUpHow can I get SketchUp Pro ($495) for free?
SketchUp ProWhere can I find more resources?
3DVinci SketchUp Teacher Guide
Official Google SketchUp Video Tutorials
SketchUp Books
"Follow Me" Tool Tutorial
Sketchucation
A simple house in SketchUp